I love a good chili, but being a born and raised Yankee, I don’t hold by the no-beans Texan versions. As such, I wasn’t so sure about this pumpkin chili. But, since it’s from the same blog that gave me the recipes for the primal philly cheesesteak, the fennel and fish chowder and the mushroom and stewed beef recipes that I’ve adored, I figured I’d give it a try. Glad I did!
Here’s what we’re making:
Here’s what you need:
2 lbs ground beef
1 large yellow onion, diced
6 cloves garlic, diced
14 oz pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie)
1 (28 oz) can diced, fire roasted tomatoes
1 (7 oz) can diced, roasted green chilies
1 c chicken or beef stock
2 Tbsp chili powder
2 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp paprika
2 tsp salt
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp cocoa powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne
2 avocados
zest of 1 orange
juice of 2 oranges
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp salt
In a large soup pan, brown your ground beef. Add in your spice mixture (center ingredient group) and cook through. Remove from the pan and cook your onion and garlic in the fat left in the pan until your onions are soft. Add your pumpkin puree and remaining first group ingredients and return the beef to the pan. Stir well to combine and allow to reheat for 8-10 minutes while the flavors meld.
Meanwhile, add all of the ingredients from the third ingredient grouping to a food processor and blend well. This is your avocado cream which should be dolloped on top of your chili.
Honestly, if I hadn’t known there was pumpkin in this chili, I’d never have picked it out. Pumpkin is good for you, so I’m not about to complain, but aside from my slight discomfort with the lack of beans (my can opener was just itching to throw a can of kidneys in there) this was a pretty standard chili. The avocado cream though, does amazing things to it.
I’d never in a million years have thought of adding an orange flavor to chili, but the orange juice and zest in the avocado cream is an incredible addition. I kept finding myself adding more and more to my bowl!
Another low-carb option, another win. A girl could get used to this.
Especially Creative Broad 